Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy is being mentioned in NFL trade rumors more than just about any player ahead of the 2023 NFL trade deadline. However, there’s reportedly one issue that could make a deal being finalized a bit more complicated.
Jeudy, the 15th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, hasn’t quite lived up to his hype when he declared for the draft. Viewed as an excellent route-runner who could create separation and make plays underneath, the 6-foot-1 receiver has not shown the development many hoped for thus far.
- Jerry Jeudy stats (career): 177 receptions, 2,517 receiving yards, 14.2 yards per reception in 46 games
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However, there have been flashes of impressive play from the former Alabama Crimson Tide star. As a rookie in 2021, he recorded 52 receptions for 856 receiving yards, averaging 16.5 yards per reception. The following year, though, Jeudy only started in 5-of-10 games and netted 467 receiving yards on 38 targets.
Jeudy seemed to rebound late in the 2022 season as Russell Wilson and the Broncos’ offense began figuring things out. From Weeks 13-18, he averaged 6.2 receptions and 87.2 receiving yards per game with a 14.1 yards per reception average.
When head coach Sean Payton took over, however, Denver immediately placed Jeudy on the trade block. He ultimately stayed with the team because the Broncos’ asking price was too high and entered NFL games today second on the team in targets (20) and receptions (29), while placing third in receiving yards (222).
With Denver effectively out of the AFC’s playoff mix, Jeudy is viewed as one of the likeliest NFL trade candidates to be moved by Oct. 31. However, there seems to be one common issue rival teams have regarding a potential trade.
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According to Adam Caplan of Pro Football Network, Jeudy’s fifth-year option is viewed as a major deterrent for teams interested in acquiring the former first-round pick.
An NFL source explained the problem to Caplan, describing how Jeudy’s salary for next season becomes more complicated if he is released. In the event the acquiring team decides to move on from him, they would owe him a fully guaranteed salary in 2024 despite him not being on the roster.
- Jerry Jeudy contract: $2.681 million salary in 2023, $12.987 million cap hit in 2024
Because the Broncos picked up the fifth-year option, the acquiring team would be entirely responsible for Jeudy’s salary in 2024 unless Denver is willing to cover a portion of the salary. Given that’s what the Broncos did with the Randy Gregory trade, it’s possible this deterrent doesn’t prevent a trade.
There’s another reason why NFL teams might have a specific problem with Jeudy’s cap hit next season. Entering Week 7, per Player Profiler, Jeudy ranks 91st in route win rate (36.6%) and is 55th is yards per route run (1.46 yards). Those numbers suggest he’s closer to a No. 3 receiver than an impact starter.